Winter

by Michelle Love

  I knew the truth, though. I practically was a nun. with all of the focus that I put into my schooling. I worked my ass off for the scholarship that provided me with a free ride to MIT and a little money to afford my living expenses. Mama worked two jobs just to support herself, and I’d never ask her for anything. As it was, I was working hard on my future, so that I could someday take care of her. She was fifty-five now and should be living somewhere better than one of the more run-down apartment complexes in Boston. It was my turn to pay her back for doing her best as a single mother after my father left us when I was five. Her mother helped for a time, but she was gone when I was thirteen, making Mom work long hours while she left me at home.

  I was a good girl who didn’t complain, working on my homework and studying endlessly. I didn’t have more than a couple of close friends, but I stayed home when they went out, given our financial situation. I was thrilled when I found a tutoring job that would help to provide money to the household and worked long hours doing that after school. It was busy and chaotic, but it was my life.

  It wasn’t much better at this time, living with five other girls in a four-bedroom apartment. It saved money, though, so I could eat real food every now and then, and the dorms were too expensive for me. I didn’t love sharing a room, but Melody was quiet, like me, and it was bearable.

  I looked at the clock by my bed as I slipped my feet into my black heels and felt the nerves inside of my stomach twist painfully. I knew that I qualified for this internship and, with my teacher’s assistance, I’d prove that today. I was good at school, and it felt like that was the only thing that I was good at sometimes. That would get me into this company, where I could build a future and try to get hired on. Even if I weren't studying architecture at MIT, I’d know that Elkus had a remarkable reputation in the business world. They were responsible for some of the most beautiful structures in the world and very generous to their employees. I could find myself a clean place to live, as well as one for my mother, and even see if she could be added to my benefits. I did my research once it was brought to my attention that I was one of the students recommended to Elkus, quickly realizing that it would be pathetic and stupid not to go to this interview.

  I left the apartment with my thrift store purse and tossed my keys inside as I looked for the Uber car I’d asked for a few minutes ago. It was too far to walk, even if I wasn’t in heels, and I’d have to cut back on something to afford rides if I got this job, at least when I wasn’t in school. I could walk from there.

  I saw a little yellow Focus sitting at the curb with a pretty redheaded girl looking around. “Elisa?” She asked through her passenger window, and I nodded as I slid into the back. “Where are you going?” She glanced at a screen, then gave me another look before pulling away from the curb. “Job interview?”

  “It’s for an internship. I’m not graduating for another year,” I responded with a soft smile as she merged into traffic with a sharp twist of the wheel. I swallowed and held onto the back door as I prayed for a safe trip, knowing my dislike of cabs and other public transportation. It was a jerky ride as the girl sang along to the radio and took the turns seemingly without using brakes. My eyes remained wide and my stomach shifted uncomfortably.

  “Good luck!” She told me, as she stopped in front of the massive building and grinned at me. I thanked her and got out, regretting the five-dollar tip that I’d given her on the app. That was insane. I looked up at the glass that seemed to reflect all of the light back out into the street for all to see, all the while looking flawless. I walked forward and looked into a panel near the door, making sure that I still looked presentable as I pressed my full lips together.

  Entering the massive lobby, I looked for the desk to let them know that I’d arrived. The cold blonde woman, who looked almost fake, directed me to the bank of elevators and instructed me to take one to the tenth floor. From there, the receptionist would direct me where to go. I thanked her and felt her eyes looking me up and down as I walked away, aware that it wasn’t in a good way. I shook it off, pressed the button, and waited with a group of similarly dressed people that split up as the three doors opened simultaneously.

  I ended up with two guys and two girls who nervously discussed the interview. I remained quiet as I glanced at them and tried to decide if they were dressed better than I was and if they went to a better school. We all appeared to be the same age, and I looked away as one of the guys moved his eyes towards me. “Are you here for an interview as well?”

  “The interview? Yes, I am.” I smiled as I responded, and he nodded as he looked me over. It was uncomfortable, and I was relieved when the elevator stopped on the fifth floor, opening to reveal a gorgeous man who walked in and stood by me as we waited to go. The guy ogling me turned forward as I shuddered and wrapped my arms in front of my chest. I knew that I had a decent figure I should be proud of, but I didn’t want others appreciating it. I glanced at the man beside me to see that he had a scowl on his face, and I wondered if he’d done something to the student looking at me.

  The door opened a few floors up, and I let everyone else get off before I stepped forward. I felt shaky, and I tried to take a deep breath as the last arrival slid his hand in front of the sliding doors for me. I looked at him and murmured thanks as I looked to the left and right to see the other group going towards the middle of the floor.

  It was stunning here. I wouldn’t even begin to guess what the square footage was in this building, and everything inside was clean and, in some cases, sparkling. I looked outside and realized that the glass offered some sense of a tint so as not to blind you in the building. The floors were some sort of a gray marble, and I didn’t see a speck of dirt on them. There were couches scattered about with tables, and not the kind just for looks. These could be used for the nap that I felt like I needed right now.

  I approached the desk as the others left and glanced behind me to see the man from the elevator looking at me before he disappeared down a hallway. He was intense, though I couldn’t pinpoint what it was about him. “Good morning. I’m here for an interview,” I told a brunette with resting bitch face as she asked me my name in a monotone voice. “I’m Elisa Moore.”

  “They’ll be calling you in order as the interviews move along. Have a seat anywhere in this lobby.” This girl made me miss the driver’s bright smile and enthusiasm.

  “Thank you,” I told her with my own bright smile, wanting to make a good impression every step of the way. I’d blown it with the guy on the elevator, but what were the chances of him being involved in the interview? This was a huge company and, even if I got the position, I might never see him again.

  He was handsome. It was a shame that I didn’t have the confidence for a man like that.

  I went to sit and wait off by the window, not looking for conversation today. I checked a few apps on my phone to kill some time as I only proceeded to become more and more anxious as the minutes ticked by.

  Damon

  I knew that I had to get back to the sixth floor for the interviews, so I pressed the elevator button and waited. As the doors slid open, I saw a group of who I recognized as potential interviewees, so I moved past them and stood beside a young woman. When I glanced over, I saw one of the men looking at the quiet girl wolfishly and shot him a dark look with my icy blue eyes. I knew what he was capable of. I didn’t even look at women that way, and I was a dominant. There was something called tact that I appreciated as a man past my early twenties.

  He turned and faced the doors again, and I smirked in response. I watched her out of the corner of my eye, and the woman shivered as she crossed her arms over what even I could admit was a generous chest. With a slightly closer look, I realized that she might be here for an interview. She was young and dressed in what one would term a ‘power suit,' something that was common in the business world. She looked beautiful, and I turned my head as I saw her start to look at me.

  Beautiful and far too pure for my kind, particula
rly if she was here to interview to become an intern. That was against my own rules, despite the numerous women who had attempted to seduce me here. I didn’t mix business with pleasure, and I had an entirely separate place for the latter, somewhere I doubted that any of these people would be found.

  We came to the floor that I suspected everyone needed, and few who were talking in their young voices and immature sense strolled out first. I sensed the other woman holding back, so I stepped to the side and gestured to keep the door open so she could exit.

  Based on what I’d seen, she had more of a chance of getting any kind of position here over the others, even if she was nervous. She walked out and looked at me with bright, wide eyes that were green, held a touch of shimmer, and were highly unusual. Her pale cheeks were spotted with pink, and she blushed further as she thanked me and gave the lobby a long, lost look.

  Interview. Fantastic. I could not be attracted to anyone that I worked with, and a part of me hoped that she’d blow the interview. I was drawn to this girl, something that was atypical for me at work, and it was best nipped in the bud. My imagination was already going to dangerous places with her. I wasn’t known for avoiding something that I wanted if there was a strong enough need.

  I joined my managers in the large conference room, and we sat in our places at one end of the table with our coffee and notebooks. I always jotted down bits and pieces of information about what made one person stand out, as did the others, so as to compare notes later. We were interviewing seventy-five students total, thirty of which were here today. I knew from experience that half would be weeded out based on the resume, most of which was provided by the school, as these kids hadn’t worked yet. I dug deep into their school career, though, dating back to what they were involved in during middle school. This wasn’t an intelligence contest; it was a look into who you were as a person.

  Though we could all lie, couldn’t we? I didn’t let on to many about my extracurricular activities after hours, being the private man that I was.

  We started bringing the candidates in, one by one. A lot of the applicants were young and immature, despite their recommendation and accompanying paperwork. They weren’t ready for this step, and I dismissed them in my head as they each left. When the douche bag from the elevator walked in and sat down, I made a point of staring him down as his face paled. He was gone before he even had a chance.

  I listened through the following three and found them to be boring. I knew that my tolerance was getting low as I glanced at my Rolex. I needed to go to lunch, or at least my office, and decompress from this nonsense.

  I glanced down at my list to see that a woman named Elisa Moore was up next, and sipped my lukewarm coffee as the door opened and she stepped inside. I sat up instantly, taking in the soft pale skin and those unforgettable eyes. Elisa smiled, but I could tell that she was still scared as she sat at the table while one of us went to retrieve her resume.

  I stared at her as she handed it over. Her eyes flickered over me and dread filled her face for a fleeting second. She knew who I was just as much I did her, and it turned me on to see her cheeks turn pink as I licked my lips. “Miss Moore,” Brent started, as I forced my eyes to her paperwork.

  Elisa was exactly what we were looking for, and I fucking hated that. She had previous job experience, and it was complimentary to boot. She’d been involved in all of the right things through middle school and high school, but still had time to earn the highest possible grades each year. She was top of her class at MIT, which was a feat in itself.

  She’d be a valuable asset to this company, if only my cock weren't throbbing underneath this table. I imagined her tied to my bed and spread out for me, with her pink pussy exposed and ready.

  I sensed that she wasn’t entirely confident about the questions, but someone had schooled her well. She answered with the right amount of enthusiasm and what I took for a facade of confidence. That was all we needed, and I glanced around at the other guys, seeing grins on their faces. Shit. I needed to stop this before it even began. I felt a drop of sweat slide down my face as Jacob thanked her for coming, his tone warmer than it had been with the others. He assured her that she’d hear from us soon, and she thanked us, taking the time to make eye contact with each one of us, just a flash shorter with me than the others.

  Elisa stood, and I watched her hips sway as she walked out of the room, feeling a strong need to push her down and bare that ass. It was tight and juicy, and I pictured her skin with marks from my hands staining it…and more. The door closed as I blinked and Ryan set his pen down. “One more like that one and we’re set. Is anyone else sick of talking and hungry like I am?”

  “I’ll have Brynn order in sushi, and we can speak in the small room, though I think we all agree on Elisa,” Brent said, as he pulled out his sleek phone and sent a text before he stretched.

  No, we didn’t. Maybe they didn’t want her, but I did. I wanted, with every inch of my soul, to be the one to make her scream my name.

  “I let Rachel know that we’re breaking for lunch as well. We’ll start back in a couple of hours,” Ryan told us, as he stood and the others followed. I was the last to stand and leave the room, swearing that I could still smell her cherry blossom scent. Fucking hell. We went to the smaller room located in the corner of the building, where we wouldn’t be disturbed. I made some coffee and sat down as I pinched the bridge of my nose to tame the headache that was forming, while the others talked about the interviews.

  “Elisa is in. She’s a natural for this place,” Brent said, as he took a long drink from his Coke and paced the room. “Pete seemed good as well.”

  Douchebag. No way in hell was he working here.

  “I wasn’t into either of them,” I said casually, as they all stared at me.

  “What the fuck, Damon? She’s great, and that track record is flawless. She’s a hire, not just an intern.” Ryan argued, as I took a sip from my cup.

  “Elisa was young and Pete…seemed like an asshole,” I said, as I stared at the table.

  “Last I checked, they’re college students and naturally younger than we are,” Brent pointed out, as I tried to find someone else to bring up instead. Inside of my heart, I knew that it wasn’t going to happen.

  “Elisa is hot, but we know the rules here. Don’t shit where you eat. She’s fantastic,” Ryan acknowledged, as I fought not to give him the same look that I gave Pete.

  A couple of delivery guys that we knew brought in trays of food and some plates, and my managers reacted enthusiastically. I was the last to get my plate and fill it with a few pieces of sushi before I sat at the end of the table. “So, we’re all on board with Elisa, right?” Ryan checked and slowly looked at me.

  I had to think of the company and nodded slowly as I chewed around some salmon. Once I’d swallowed, I spoke up about Pete. “I don’t want him, though. He was a dick in the elevator, and I didn’t like him at all.”

  “Okay, he’s off the list. We’ll finish up today and see if we can find a second.” Brent said, as he slipped another roll into his mouth. We lingered for a while in there, not wanting to be back doing more interviews. The guys were probably just tired in general. I was thinking nonstop about Elisa and what I could do to have her work here without running into her.

  Interns generally worked on the fifth floor with the teams, right in the action. While the managers had offices on this floor, they spent lots of time down there, whereas I didn’t necessarily have to. I could cut back how much I was down there, and it could work. Hell, I was the CEO and could send emails all day and jack off if I wanted to. There was stuff for me to do that was less involved.

  The other interviews passed in a blur, and we called it quits at four o clock. They were talking about a guy named Devin who seemed great for the company and, from what I could remember, he was. I agreed just to be able to get to my office and be alone for a moment, though I wasn’t certain why.

  At least we didn’t have to suffer through this agai
n tomorrow. I walked in and closed my door as I trudged to the desk with my shoulders tense and aching. I needed a drink, a massage, and I needed to come and get this out of my system. I dropped into my seat and pulled out my phone, setting up a private massage in a local room that I used for such events. I headed over there to shower and pour some scotch to ease my mind. Sharon was a good masseuse and familiar with me. She wouldn’t mind working naked and letting me pinch her ass before she gave me one of the best hand jobs to date. Sharon would probably do anything that I wanted her to, since I tipped so well on top of paying her fee.

  I answered the door with a towel wrapped around my waist, about two glasses of scotch into the night. She gave me a curious look with her topaz eyes that were done in dark makeup. “That’s quite the welcome, Damon. I can’t say you’re not ready, though.”

  I let her in and watched her move towards the bed. She lay down the thick towel that she used to protect the blankets from the oils that she used. Sharon was dressed in a tiny black skirt and boots that she removed before she placed her jacket on a chair. Her shirt was a thin tank top that hinted at her red lace bra, and I pressed my lips together.

  “Take everything off,” I growled, as she looked up at me with wary eyes. She looked into my face, probably to make sure I was sane and not going to turn into a serial killer on her. Her eyes drifted to my cock tenting against the towel. “I’m just incredibly horny, Sharon. I don’t want to hurt you, at least any more than usual.”

  I could see that my words turned her on, and she removed her clothing with eager hands as she told me to get on the bed. She loved the tease of a sensual massage. I jerked the towel off and moved onto my stomach as the need to come throbbed between my legs. I smelled her oils as she slicked them over her hands, a mix of peppermint and citrus that she used to stroke my muscled back with firm hands.